Splint.



R. D. ROBINSON.

SPLINT.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 5,1913.

Patented Aug". 12, 1913.

Inventor Witnesses Attorneys ROBERT D. ROBINSON, OF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS.

SPLINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Application filed May 5, 1913. Serial No. 765,611.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT D. ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galesburg, in the county of Knox and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Splint, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application, is a splint adapted to be employed for retaining a broken collar bone (fractura juguli).

One object of the present invention, is to provide a splint which may be contracted about the body of the wearer, below the fracture, to effect a retention of the fracture against downward movement, means being provided whereby the splint may be drawn together at the shoulders, to eifect an elevation and a consequent retention of the fracture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a splint which may be tightened around the body of the wearer, without causing a loosening of the splint at the front and adjacent the arm holes, a contingency likely to effect a release or partial release of the fractured parts.

Another object of the invention is to improve generally, and to increase the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing :Figure 1 shows the invention in front elevation; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the splint, spread open; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the splint, spread open; Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out the invention there is provided as a primary and fundamental element, a body encircling member which may be fashioned from duck, canvas, leather, or any other suitable material. The body encircling member comprises a back section 1 and a back section 2, united along a longitudinal line 3 by means of a lacing cord 4 which is threaded through openings in the sections 1 and 2, or is assembled with the sections 1 and 2 in any other suitable manner. Secured longitudinally to the back section 1 is a reinforcing strip 5, beneath which is located, and retained, a flap or tongue 40 which covers the lacing cord 4.

The invention further includes primary front sections denoted by the numerals 6 and 7. The primary front section 7 is united with the back section 1 along a seam 9, the seam 9 being reinforced in the interior of the splint, as shown at 10. The front section 6 is united with the back section 2 along a seam 11, which is reinforced as shown at 12. The upper ends of the sections 7 and 1 are united by means of a lacing cord 14, a lacing cord 15 serving to unite the upper ends of the sections 6 and 2, the cords 14 and 15 being located upon the shoulder portions of the splint.

By the construction last above described, the arm holes 16 of the splint are defined, the arm holes 16 being peripherally bound and reinforced as indicated at 17. The sections 7 and 6 are split transversely, as shown at 18, and are united along the splits, to shape the splint. To the sections 7 and 6 are applied transverse reinforcing members 19 which extend transversely of the arm holes 16. Secured to the sections 6 and 7, above the arm holes 16, are reinforcing members 20, constituting means for retaining the edges of flaps 21 which extend beneath the lacing cords 14 and 15. The body encircling member is bound or reinforced along its upper edge as indicated at 22. The sections 2, 6, 1 and 7 are split longitudinally as indicated at 24, to shape the splint, there being reinforcing members 25 extended upwardly, from the lower reinforcing strip 23, the reinforcing members 25 being extended over the splits 24.

The invention further includes an auxiliary front section, denoted by the numeral 26, the auxiliary front section 26 being provided with buttons 27 adapted to engage the button holes 28, located along the longitudinal edge of the front section 7. A lacing cord 29 unites the longitudinal edge of the section 26, with the longitudinal edge of the section 6, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. Secured to the section 6 is a reinforcing strip 30, retaining one edge of a flap 31, adapted to cover the lacing cord 29.

It will be understood readily that the lacing cords 4L and 29 may be manipulated to tighten the splint around the body of the wearer, it being possible by manipulating the lacing cords 14; and 15, to draw the splint upwardly upon the fracture, to prevent a dropping of the fractured parts. Owing to the fact that the sections 6 and 7 are equipped with the transverse reinforcing members 19 which extend from the arm holes 16 toward the lacing cord 29, a stretching and a sagging of the front portion of the splint will be prevented, and therefore, when the lacing cord 29 is drawn taut, the fracture will be adequately retained. It'is to be observed that the reinforcing member 20 merges into the binding 17 which surrounds the arm holes 16,the binding 17 being connected with the reinforcing member 12, and the reinforcing member 12 being connected with the transverse reinforcing member 23 which extends around the bottom of the splint. Consequently, when the lower portion of the splint has been tightened around the body of the wearer, through the manipulation of the lacing cords 29 and. t, or one of them, the lacing cords 14 and 15 may be manipulated, without effecting the stretching of the splint along the side portions thereof. It is to be observed that the entire adjustment of the splint herein disclosed, takes place along the shoulders, and along the two longitudinal lines which are located in the median plane of the body. Consequently, there will be no strain imposed upon the fractured bone, through the manipulation of the several draw strings.

The structure, generally considered, is of such nature that it may be readily taken off and be applied with ease, without interfer ing with the adjustments of the parts, this operation taking place by the detaching the auxiliary front section 26 from the primary front section 7 through the medium of the buttons 27 of the button holes 28.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A splint for a broken clavicle, comprising back sections, primary front sections united with the back sections, an independent front section, means for connecting the back sections together along a longitudinal line; means for drawing the back sections and the primary front sections together at their upper ends to effect a lifting of the clavicle; means for drawing one primary front section and the independent front section together along a longitudinal line; and means for detachably uniting the other primary front section with the independent front section.

2. A splint for a broken clavicle, compris ing back sections; primary front sections united with the back sections; an independent front section; a draw string connecting the back sections along a longitudinal line; draw strings connecting the back sections with the primary front sections along transverse lines and at the top of the splint; buttons connecting one primary front section with the independent front section; a draw string connecting the independent front section wit-h the other primary front section; and movably mounted flaps located upon the interior of the splint and extending across the lines of union effected by the dratw strings.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT D. ROBINSON.

WVitnesses:

JULIA OARLSON, AMUR MORELAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

